Sunday Pics!

Growing up, my uncle always read the "Sunday Funnies" in the San Francisco Chronicle.  I treasure that memory of him.  He had a smile on his face and laughed so easily.

The Sunday Funnies gave me an idea.....Why not do "Sunday Pics" and share with you antique photos that have to do with quilts and quilting?  I started posting photos over on our Facebook page a couple of weeks ago, and then thought it would be fun to share them here on the blog, as well.

When I look at old photos it gives me joy.  It's not always a happy thing, because so many photos reflect hard times in the lives of our predecessors, but joy comes in knowing that we can share a little bit in what went before.

This week I'll share the two from previous weeks and then the one for today.  So you get a "3-fer!"

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This first one was taken in 1907.  I want to know this woman!  She has a twinkle in her eye and looks to me as if she has spunk!  She reminds me a little of the actress Maggie Smith, whose acting I greatly respect and admire.

To say nothing of the quilt!  Isn't it intriguing?  Simple but stunning.  It looks to me perhaps to be made of velvets  Where would she have come up with so many scraps?  Was she a seamstress?  Or was she well-off and bought the yardage?  As always, I want to know!

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I love this photograph.  I'm guessing it was taken around the turn of the century.  The clothing is similar to that in pictures of my grandmother in 1900 or 1901.

The look on her face is priceless....can you hear her mother saying, "Honey, hold still.  Don't move.  Don't smile.  Look at the funny man and his camera.  We'll be finished soon."  And don't you love her hair bows?!?

In reading about quilts in photographs, one thing I discovered is that often blankets and quilts were used as backdrops for family photos.  I'm guessing that is what happened in this one. It's a fun 9-patch.  Maybe a variation.  It works well as contrast in the photo, as well.

As always, I wish I knew who this little girl was.

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This one brings tears to my eyes.  Does it not epitomize love and creativity?

She has no fancy work surface or cutting tools or templates.  She has her porch and her scraps in a tattered Musselman's apple jelly box.  Her worn hands are just as tender with the arranging of the pieces as yours or mine are.  And her man is watching with love at what she is creating.

There's all of life there for me.

A blessed Sunday to you.